Treatment - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Pilot Study: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Decrease Levels of Stress during Pregnancy

We have long been concerned about the impact of stressful life events on pregnancy outcomes. There is data to indicate that stress experienced during pregnancy may increase the risk of various adverse outcomes, including increased risk of preterm birth and lower birth weight. Other studies suggest that prenatal exposure to maternal stress may also increase the risk of later psychopathology in the child, increasing the exposed child’s risk of being diagnosed with ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T13:20:16-04:00January 15th, 2015|Alternative & Complementary, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Perinatal Dyadic Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Many studies have observed that postpartum depression may negatively affect the mother-infant relationship and may thus impede bonding and attachment and negatively affect the development of the young child. A recent study explores the use of Perinatal Dyadic Psychotherapy (PDP), a dual-focused mother-infant intervention designed to prevent and/or decrease depressive symptoms in the mother and to improve aspects of the mother-infant relationship related to child development.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T13:21:16-04:00December 28th, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Acupuncture for Postpartum Depression

85 women with postpartum depression were randomized to receive acupuncture plus psychological intervention (five sessions per week) or treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg per day). The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Depression scale (HAMD).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-05-02T11:37:02-04:00December 22nd, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

New Guidelines Limit Testosterone Supplements for Women

Both men and women produce testosterone. The big difference is that the levels are much lower in women, around 15 to 40 ng/dL. In women, testosterone levels begin to decline gradually after the age of 20. In postmenopausal women, testosterone levels are between 0 and 20 ng/dL. Various symptoms have been attributed to falling levels of testosterone in midlife women, including lower sex drive, decreased muscle mass and bone density, decline in cognitive functioning, and depression. Some refer to this constellation of symptoms as “female androgen insufficiency syndrome”; others debate the clinical validity of this diagnosis in women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-11-18T14:43:18-04:00November 17th, 2014|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment|Comments Off

Pilot Study: Aripiprazole Added to Antidepressants for Postpartum Depression

Augmentation strategies can be used to optimize response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not responded adequately to antidepressant monotherapy; however, we have no data on the use of adjunctive treatments in women with postpartum depression (PPD). A recent study tested the effectiveness of antidepressant augmentation with aripiprazole (Abilify) in a cohort of 10 women with onset of a depression within 3 months of the birth of a healthy, close-to-term baby.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-10-23T14:38:03-04:00October 27th, 2014|Medication, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Stimulants Improve Cognitive Functioning in Menopausal Women

Many women report cognitive difficulties -- forgetfulness, distractibility, feeling foggy ---during the transition to menopause. While much attention has been devoted to the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes or night sweats, less [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-29T09:55:04-04:00October 3rd, 2014|ADHD Medications, Cognition, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment|Comments Off

CBT is Effective for Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a type of psychotherapy that has been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Recently, several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that CBT is effective for managing vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-02-23T09:55:30-04:00September 30th, 2014|Menopausal Symptoms, Psychotherapy, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Although postpartum depression (PPD) affects about 15% of all women after the birth of a child, most women with PPD receive no treatment. One of the problems has been inadequate screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Over the last decade, there has been an emphasis on educating health care professionals to reliably screen for PPD; however, other obstacles to obtaining treatment remain. Many women cannot find appropriate treaters in their area. Others are not able to get childcare in order to attend weekly appointments. Given these limitations, it is important that we explore other types of interventions that might be used to reach and effectively treat women with PPD.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-12T09:35:02-04:00September 8th, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Response to the New York Times Article on SSRIs and Pregnancy: Moving Toward a More Balanced View of Risk

We have received many emails and calls from colleagues and patients regarding the recent article on the safety of SSRI use during pregnancy published in the New York Times. In this article, health writer Roni Caryn Rabin, detailed the risks associated with the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-05T10:29:23-04:00September 5th, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Low Dose Paroxetine Improves Sleep in Postmenopausal Symptoms

Last year, the FDA approved the first non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes – a 7.5-mg formulation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine which was marketed under the name of Brisdelle. A new study [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-09T17:53:30-04:00August 25th, 2014|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Sleep Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off